DATE=11/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241754
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (S)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON IS MONITORING THE SITUATION IN IRAQ AS 
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS PREPARE TO RETURN THERE TUESDAY. THIS  
FOLLOWS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DECISION TO RESUME THE 
INSPECTIONS.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. 
     

TEXT:  MR. CLINTON IS TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE IRAQI 
SITUATION WITH HIS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, SANDY BERGER 
MONDAY.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS DESPITE SADDAM HUSSEIN'S 
PLEDGE TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS, MR. 
CLINTON BELIEVES THE IRAQI LEADER REMAINS A SERIOUS THREAT TO HIS
NEIGHBORS AND TO THE WORLD.

MR. LOCKHARTS SAYS WASHINGTON WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS -- WITH 
THE SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY -- TO DEAL WITH THE 
IRAQI THREAT AND LIMIT BAGHDAD'S ABILITY TO RECONSTITUTE ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS FOR NOW, THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES IT HAS 
AFFIRMATIVE ASSURANCES FROM IRAQ THAT IT WILL ALLOW FOR AN 
AGGRESSIVE, EFFECTIVE INSPECTIONS PROCESS.  BUT HE SAYS IF THERE 
IS EVIDENCE THAT BAGHDAD IS NOT ABIDING BY ITS OBLIGATIONS, 
WASHINGTON IS POISED TO ACT MILITARILY TO FORCE IT TO COMPLY.

SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DECISION TO BACK DOWN FROM ITS DEFIANCE OF 
INSPECTIONS NARROWLY AVERTED U-S CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS SATURDAY.
(SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/JO





16-Nov-98 11:09 AM EST (1609 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.